A ROBBER apologised to his victim as he carried out a DVD player out of the man's house.

Adrian Karl Patterson, aged 22, of Abernant Road, Markham, Blackwood, had gone to the home of Nicholas Miller on February 22 last year with co-defendant Charles Williamson.

Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court was told that 19-year-old Williamson, of The Broadway, Pontypridd, had been the main instigator of the robbery and had threatened the occupant with a knife.

Andrew Davies, prosecuting, said that Williamson accused his former neighbour Mr Miller, who was at home with his girlfriend, of talking about him.

Patterson, who pleaded guilty to robbery, was left at the property waiting for Williamson who had left. When he returned, Williamson told the victim: "I'm going to cut your throat," before telling him that he was going to take his PlayStation, games and DVD player.

As he waved the knife, Williamson told his victim to pack up the items. But it was only when they left that Williamson realised they had forgotten the DVD player.

It was Patterson who went back for the player and as he left he apologised to Mr Miller's girlfriend.

Patterson denied taking part in the robbery but was identified in a line-up by the woman, who also identified his "Taz" tattoo.

Robin Rouch, defending, told the court that Patterson had not realised there was going to be a knife-point robbery.

"He acted without thought when asked to take the items," said Mr Rouch.

"He said that he was under the influence of drugs and had an extensive drug habit - a substantial part of his teenage and adult life has been blighted by drug addiction.

"He regrets his actions."

He was jailed by Judge John Curran for 12 months.

Williamson pleaded guilty to robbery on the day of trial at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court and was sentenced by Judge Curran to three years in a young offenders' institution.